This lesson will help you determine what you need to get started with German research. During the lesson, you will learn the about the minimum information needed to find an ancestor and set a research goal. Basic starting strategies and tools are introduced along with places you can go to for help help such as FamilySearch, the FamilySearch Wiki and FamilySearch Forums. Useful web links and printable forms are included.

This lesson will help you understand the development of Germany during the 15th through 21st Centuries and how major historical events may have affected your ancestors’ lives. You will be introduced to the concept of using timelines as a tool for placing your ancestor within a historical context. Knowing something about the history of your research area can help you find records for your ancestors.

This lesson will help learn to verify your ancestor’s locality information by using maps and gazetteers. Once you have solid locality information you can use the Family History Library Catalog to locate records. The lesson utilizes two case studies to demonstrate the use of these tools. You will also find links to online resources included within the lesson.